Cleaning your drain regularly, or at the first inkling of a blockage is a way to avoid a plumbing nightmare.

Even everyday usage of sinks and showers can cause a build up which may creep up on you and turn into a full blockage if you’re not regularly cleaning your drains.

If you notice your water drainage starting to slow down, its time to follow our top tips for DIY drain cleaning!

Chemical drain cleaning.

Readily available to pick up on your next grocery-shopping trip, chemical drain cleaner is a quick and easy way to clear any build up in your drains. Simply pour down the plughole and wait for 15-30 minutes and rinse.  This is usually enough to clear build-ups of debris such as hair and soap.

Organic drain cleaning.

If you prefer to avoid harsh chemicals, you can make your own drain cleaning solution with ½ cup of baking soda and ½ cup of white vinegar. Pour the baking soda and then vinegar down the drain and cover for 15-30 minutes before flushing with hot water. This is effective at removing build-ups of grease and if performed regularly may reduce the risk of major blockages.

Plungers and augurs.

Plungers and augurs are common for unblocking toilets, sinks and bathtubs.

If you don’t suspect a hard object is blocking he drain, use the plunger to slowly and pull up quickly to attempt to disturb the blockage. If the blockage is caused by a hard object or is deeper in the drain, an augur (or toilet snake) might do the trick. Both of these can dislodge blockages but won’t remove build up.

If DIY drain cleaning isn’t enough to avoid a blocked drain, it may be time to call the professionals! Maroochydore Plumbing can tend to blockages that your DIY methods can’t manage.